Totaled Not Totaled?

I had an audi that was sandwiched by a high school kid who rear ended me at a light. At first I was thinking it may be totaled since damage in front and back. Most of it on the rear. Because the Audi was worth so much, they decided to fix it. During the repair they found the main wire harness with hundreds of wires severed. Since they were already in the middle of repairing it, they had to continue. If they had seen it earlier, it would've been totaled.

I agree...at first glance doesn't seem like much but the knee air bag did deploy. If it were a vehicle with a higher value, I'd say not totaled. KBB puts this car at about $13k. If your damage equates to about 80% of it's value or $10,400, it's totaled.

Vato said:

I agree...at first glance doesn't seem like much but the knee air bag did deploy. If it were a vehicle with a higher value, I'd say not totaled. KBB puts this car at about $13k. If your damage equates to about 80% of it's value or $10,400, it's totaled.

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How're you getting the KBB value? You'd have to know how old it is and how many miles. Definitely not the OP's car-his profile says his is an '18.

That said, the car in the photo has to be a '15-'17. Looks like it's got some Diode Dynamics lights going on it, too...keep the receipts for mods. Those figure into the insurance valuation if you can document it

The car in the pics is a 2016 GT/CS...We're not talking about a V6 or Eco.

The car is indeed a 16 GT/CS. It only has 15K miles on the car. It was immaculate, but obliviously not now. Yes, a few mods like RTR grill, after market rims, one of which not pictured took a good hit on the wall after spinning. Rim is a total loss. Bent with a chunk missing.

I am surprised that even though the passenger front seemed to take most of the impact, that the steering wheel airbag did not deploy. The driver's side front also hit the wall. He estimates he was going 50 mph at the time of impact.

The adjuster has yet to look at the car but did tell my son he has never seen a case where the knee airbag deployed and the steering wheel did not.

Looking at KBB dealer trade in starts at $25K and private party sell max at $32K. So I am guessing USAA will value it somewhere between those 2 at $29K?

He only owes $25K so I think he will come out ahead if it is a total loss.

e30og said:

Totaled.

If any bags go off, totaled. I was told by my local auto body shop that if the bags go off, the entire airbag system wiring has to be replaced, and that is prohibitively expensive. If one bag went off, the steering wheel should have honestly, but it should be totaled either way.

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Well that's not true. I don't see how that's totaled, even if they have to put a rail in it, it's worth too much.

That will buff out with a bit of T cut! I drive my daily driver with bigger dents in front back and left hand side.

At 50 mph there is most certainly a bunch of damage under/in the car that isn't seen. My guess is totalled.

I'm a retired auto physical damage claims adjuster of 34 years, the last 7 spent as a total loss/salvage specialist.

Based on the photos, the car is repairable. It doesn't seem to be the type of impact that would have caused significant structural misalignment. It's a low offset frontal, hence only the knee airbag deployment. Neither the steering wheel or dash airbags are designed to deploy in this type of accident.

Glad all is ok, but from the looks of it probably not totaled. Rule of thumb is 80% of car's value which is something that varies and depends on the insurance company.

I can’t tell by the pixs. But check body lines/gaps around windshield and door. If buckled could be totaled. Most cars are design to have crush zones. Also Mustangs have excellent salvage value. As an example, If the insurance company secures bids of $13 to 15k from the salvage yard, the larger carriers will total the vehicle as a rule. They look at repair time, rental days and likelihood of a supplement as well as day to close the case. Now the total loss assessment makes sense even if the damage is way less then the value.

Doubt that’s totaled

Tom C said:

I'm a retired auto physical damage claims adjuster of 34 years, the last 7 spent as a total loss/salvage specialist.

Based on the photos, the car is repairable. It doesn't seem to be the type of impact that would have caused significant structural misalignment. It's a low offset frontal, hence only the knee airbag deployment. Neither the steering wheel or dash airbags are designed to deploy in this type of accident.

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haha mic drop

Houston Kid said:

The knee airbag went off but the steering wheel airbag did not.

The car is at a certified USAA body shop now but they won't touch the car until it goes to Ford to determine why the steering wheel airbag did not deploy.

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I'm surprised that the shop said that. There are numerous airbags in today's vehicles...knee bolsters, side airbags in the seats for a t-bone hit, side curtains (under the headliner on either side of the roof in the event of a roll over), and of course the steering wheel and passenger side dash front airbags. All have sensors that are controlled by a computer module, and each sensor is calibrated differently depending on what it's called upon to do in the event of an impact to a particular area of an automobile.

The steering wheel airbag will deploy in a direct front impact to protect the driver from a sudden-stop, back and forth body motion. This clearly isn't the case here....his impact was an off-set frontal collision. In your son's situation his body would have been moving side-to-side, not back and forth. In all likelihood his seat belt locked and kept him in place. Ask him if his shoulder hurts....I'll bet he says yes. A steering wheel airbag deployment would have done nothing and could possibly have even injured him.

Since the collision was a right front offset impact, the passenger side airbag would have deployed only if there was an occupant in the seat. There's a sensor there too. It makes sense to me that only his knee bolster deployed.

The shop should know better. USAA is a first rate company and their adjusters are well trained....he/she will figure this out right away.

Good luck.

His main complaint is neck pain. Side to side and up and down. Basically has whiplash. He was transported to the hospital but cat scan was all ok.

He said he was thrown forward but at that moment I don’t think you really realize if it is more side to side vs forward. He is certain he was headed straight at the barrier but I’m guessing was still spinning at the time of impact so the car hit and spun off?

The body shop not being a Ford dealership maybe they thought it should have gone off but since it did not they want Ford to do a diagnosis? I’m not sure as to the exact why but they are not going to touch the car until there is a determination made.

That tells me the damage is worse in person than what the photos indicate especially since everyone that has seen the car in person is amazed the steering wheel airbag did not deploy.

I’m guessing sometime next week we will know the answer to my original question which from most here, not totaled.

I’ll post up when we hear from USAA. On the bright side, he had luxury rental car coverage so he is in a Cadalliac.

Regardless of what happens with the car, it’s good news that he seems to be ok.